Argentina seeks strong ties with Russia, China

President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner and her counterpart Vladimir Putinagreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership between Argentina and Russia. Economic relations were at the center of bilateral talks in Moscow which resulted in specific developmentsregarding the Chihuido 1 Hydropower Project in Argentina, the cooperation between Gazprom and YPF and the construction of a nuclear power station on Argentine territory. According to Putin, Argentina is one of Russia’s leading trade partners in Latin America. “In the past 10 years bilateral trade has grown 3.5 times; however, it dropped by 10.8 percent last year,” Putin said. Meanwhile, Oscar Solis, an undersecretary with the Argentine’s Agriculture ministry, and his Chinese counterpart Shi Yanquanannounced their countries will reinforce biotechnology cooperation.